City boss Pep Guardiola is a long-term admirer of Isco but the Spaniard is not willing to wait until the summer as he is so desperate to get out of Madrid.

He also feels he will not be an automatic pick at City and wants to cement his place in the Spain team.

Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who has delegated negotiations to sporting director Marina Granovskaia, is also a keen admirer of Isco and wants to pair him with star man Eden Hazard.

Hazard has been used in the ‘false 9" position in recent weeks and Sarri sees Isco as the perfect foil for the Belgian.

Isco is seemingly out of favour at Real Madrid (Pic: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

Negotiations will move quickly and Isco could join Chelsea in the first week of January as they look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.

It had been reported just days ago that Real were plotting using Isco as a makeweight for a fresh bid to bring Hazard to the Bernabeu.

Reports in Spain suggested that Isco has become a problem in the dressing room in Madrid and is becoming a ‘problem".

Eden Hazard has been a long time target for Real Madrid (Pic: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

The 26-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most talented midfielder players in Europe but has made just 11 league appearances this season and was booed by the home crowd in last week's Champions League game against CSKA Moscow.

Hazard, meanwhile insists he is happy in west London for the time being.

But the winger sparked speculation of a move this week by once again expressing his love for his Spanish admirers.

Isco has won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid (Pic: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

"I have always liked Real Madrid as a club, with or without (Zinedine) Zidane,” he said.